Truth or Dare

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Rolan

I drum my fingers against the desk, my jaw clenched so tight it feels like my teeth might shatter. My phone sits in front of me, screen dark, mocking me. Rose hasn't replied to a single text. Not one.

I inhale sharply through my nose, shoving down the frustration clawing at my chest. I stayed up all night, my phone practically glued to my hand, waiting—hoping—for even a one-word response. But nothing. Not even a 'leave me alone.' And now? Now she's on the school's broadcast, sitting next to Felix Vanily, acting like everything is fine.

Felix Vanily.

The name alone makes my skin prickle. Yeah, we're bros, but this? This is something different. I scoff, shoving my chair back as I stand too fast. The sudden movement sends a rush of dizziness through me, but I shake it off. I need to do something—anything—to burn off this restless energy before it eats me alive. The hallways are mostly empty when I step outside. Lunch break is almost over, and students are scattered in small groups, talking, laughing—living their normal, uncomplicated lives. I shove my hands into my pockets and start walking, my thoughts storming in my head. Why the hell is she ignoring me?

A cluster of students huddles around a large screen near the main hallway, their voices hushed but buzzing with excitement. I don't stop—until I hear her name. "Did you see how blunt she was? Saying the school is like a battlefield?" "She's not wrong," someone mutters. "No one trusts anyone here. Even the teachers turn a blind eye." I slow, just enough to get a glimpse of the screen. The school logo. The news station's branding. And two figures sitting in the studio chairs—Rose and Felix.

My stomach tightens.

She looks composed. Too composed. Her voice is steady, confident, but there's something in her eyes—something sharp, calculated. Felix sits beside her, looking way too comfortable, his smirk infuriatingly smug. My fingers curl into fists. My blood simmers. Am I... jealous? No. That's ridiculous. Rose and I are just friends. Then why the hell does this piss me off so much? The video ends, and the students around me break into murmurs. Some are impressed. Some sound worried. But all I can think about is that Rose just painted a massive target on her back. And she doesn't even seem to care.

I yank my phone out, my fingers moving before I can think.

Me: We need to talk. Now.

Three dots appear. Then disappear. Then appear again. My jaw tightens.

Rose: Busy.

I exhale sharply, resisting the urge to hurl my phone at the nearest wall. Instead, I shove it into my pocket and pivot, heading straight for the front doors. She can ignore my texts all she wants. But she won't be able to ignore me when I'm standing right in front of her. I grabbed my water bottle from the canteen, feeling the coolness of it in my hand as I took a sip. As I walked outside, my eyes caught sight of the gate being wide open, something that seemed unusual. A sleek black car suddenly pulled up and came to a halt right in front of me, its engine purring softly before it went silent.

The door swung open, and out stepped Rose, her face as determined as always, followed by Felix, looking effortlessly cool as usual. Behind them, Ms. William, always composed, followed with a gentle but stern look. It was like a scene straight out of a movie—suddenly, everything felt more intense. "Bingo," I muttered under my breath, realizing something was about to unfold. I stood there for a moment, watching them. The breeze ruffled Rose's hair as she straightened her jacket.. Felix adjusted his sunglasses with that same nonchalant swagger, like nothing ever fazed him. Ms. William, always the professional, took a moment to fix her posture, exuding calm authority.